We discussed odds-giving last Friday - that is, starting without one or more of your pieces.

I mentioned one of my favourite Lasker stories, where he teased a player who didn't know hime, which I quote from Chernev (1948):

Lasker `I think the odds of a Knight is an advantage to the odds-giver. You can get your Queen Rook into play quickly, and work up a strong attack. Let me try to give you a Knight odds.' Lasker's adversary assured him that at Knight odds, he (Lasker) would not have a chance. They tried a game though, and Lasker won. `You see,' said